Missing Gold, Silver ‘Ram Shilas’ Add New Twist To Ayodhya Temple Donation Row

Last Updated:June 17, 2026, 20:04 IST

Shri Ram Shilas are symbolic offerings associated with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and were collected by the VHP during a nationwide campaign between 1987 and 1989.

Claims that 1,000 gold, silver and diamond-studded “Shri Ram Shilas" donated to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya during the Ram temple movement have gone missing have added a fresh twist to the donation controversy, even as a Special Investigation Team (SIT) intensified its probe by questioning temple employees and examining security protocols, with FIRs likely to be registered soon.

The latest allegations, made by former temple accounts in-charge Mahipal Singh, have expanded the scope of a controversy that initially centred on the suspected disappearance of cash donations.

What Are Shri Ram Shilas?

The Shri Ram Shilas are symbolic offerings associated with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and were collected by the Vishva Hindu Parishad during a nationwide campaign between 1987 and 1989 ahead of the historic shilanyas (foundation-laying ceremony) in Ayodhya in November 1989.

Devotees from more than two lakh villages across India, as well as members of the Indian diaspora abroad, contributed these bricks, many of which bore the inscription “Shri Ram" in different Indian languages.

While most were traditional consecrated bricks, some affluent devotees and organisations donated specially crafted gold, silver and gem-studded shilas, turning them into highly valuable religious artefacts. Among the offerings now reportedly unaccounted for are a gold-plated Shri Ram Shila donated from Mauritius and a diamond-studded shila gifted by a Mumbai businessman, both considered among the most valuable symbolic donations received by the temple.

Beyond their monetary worth, the shilas carry immense historical and emotional significance as symbols of public participation in the Ram Temple movement that culminated in the construction of the grand temple in Ayodhya.

SIT Expands Investigation

The claims have surfaced at a time when a three-member SIT, constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government on the directions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, is conducting a detailed inquiry into alleged irregularities involving temple donations.

On Tuesday, the panel held extensive questioning sessions with temple employees and officials behind closed doors, examining procedures related to the collection, counting and safeguarding of devotees’ offerings.

Sources familiar with the investigation said one of the key areas of focus was whether adequate security measures existed for staff handling donations. Investigators reportedly sought details on whether employees involved in counting cash were frisked before leaving counting centres, who supervised the movement of donations, and whether CCTV surveillance systems were functioning effectively in sensitive locations.

The SIT is also examining access-control mechanisms, inventory management procedures and the chain of custody for donations received from devotees. Sources indicated that the inquiry has reached an advanced stage and that as many as two FIRs could be registered in the coming days depending on the findings of the preliminary investigation.

Cash Donation Allegations Under Scrutiny

The controversy first erupted after allegations surfaced that between Rs 5 crore and Rs 7 crore in temple offerings may have been misappropriated. While the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has maintained that audits and verification processes are still underway, the allegations triggered political debate and calls for an independent probe.

According to sources, employees associated with the donation-counting process remain under scrutiny. In the past week, two workers connected with counting offerings were questioned after investigators examined their financial transactions and recent property purchases.

The case gained further attention after cash was reportedly recovered during a police search at the residence of a temple employee in Ayodhya district. Although officials have not publicly linked the recovery to the alleged donation irregularities, the development intensified speculation and strengthened demands for a comprehensive investigation.

Allegations By Former Accounts In-Charge

Mahipal Singh has alleged that concerns regarding irregularities in the handling of offerings were raised internally but failed to receive adequate attention. He has also questioned the maintenance of records relating to valuable donations and claimed that important evidence, including surveillance footage from certain periods, was either unavailable or not preserved properly.

Political Reactions

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has repeatedly questioned the handling of temple donations and demanded greater transparency regarding funds and offerings received by the trust. Opposition leaders have argued that an institution receiving donations from millions of devotees must maintain the highest standards of accountability.

The controversy has also generated reactions within the BJP. Former MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh recently claimed that he was aware of alleged irregularities but declined to disclose details publicly, saying doing so could create problems for him.

Trust Denies Wrongdoing

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has consistently denied any confirmed wrongdoing and maintained that no conclusions should be drawn before audits and investigations are completed. Trust officials have also expressed support for an impartial inquiry and reportedly welcomed the SIT investigation as a means of establishing the facts.

What Happens Next?

Since the consecration of Ram Lalla in January 2024, the temple has received donations worth hundreds of crores of rupees, along with substantial quantities of gold, silver and other valuable offerings from devotees. Given the scale of contributions, investigators are expected to examine not only financial records but also inventories relating to precious items and symbolic offerings such as the Shri Ram Shilas.

With the SIT widening its focus to include missing shilas, security procedures and employee conduct, the investigation has entered a crucial phase. The likely registration of FIRs would mark the first formal criminal action in a case involving the alleged disappearance of cash donations and valuables from the Ayodhya Ram Temple.

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